A2 Chemistry Module 5: Topic 3: Redox Equilibria Pitstop Sheet

Exam Questions:
(1)
Summarised directions for recording responses to multiple completion questions
A
(1), (2) and (3)
only correct

B
(1) and (3)
only correct

C
(2) and (4)
only correct

D
(4) only
correct

In the reaction
Cr2O 72 + 3SO2 + 2H+ 2Cr3+ + 3SO 24 + H2O
which of the following changes have occurred?
(1)

O in Cr2O 72 has been oxidised.

(2)

S in SO2 has been oxidised.

(3)

H+ has been reduced.

(4)

Cr in Cr2O 72 has been reduced.

(2) The following reaction occurs in aqueous solution.

5S2O 82 + Br2 + 6H2O 2BrO 3 + 12H+ + 10SO 24
Identify the reducing agent in this reaction and write a half-equation for its action.
Reducing agent ...........................................................................................................
Half-equation ..............................................................................................................
(2)

(3)

For each of the reactions listed below

(i)

identify which species, if any, are acting as oxidising agents;

(ii)
determine the oxidation states before and after reaction of any species that are
oxidised;
(iii)

write half-equations, including state symbols, for all redox reactions that occur.
2Cu2+(aq) + 4I(aq) 2CuI(s) + I2(aq)
5H2O2(aq) + 2Mn2+(aq) 2MnO 4 (aq) + 6H+(aq) + 2H2O(l)
Cr2O 72 (aq) + H2O(l) 2CrO 24 (aq) + 2H+(aq)
Cl2(aq) + 2OH(aq) Cl(aq) + ClO(aq) + H2O(l)
(11)

Exam Questions:
(4)

Electrode potentials are measured using either a primary standard or a secondary

one. Name the primary standard and explain why a secondary standard is
normally used.
By writing all relevant equations and stating essential experimental
conditions, outline how the standard electrode potential, E , for the
formation of metallic iron from aqueous iron(II) ions could be measured in
a cell using the primary standard. Justify the need to exclude air while this
measurement is being made.
(12)

(5) The table below shows some values for standard electrode potentials.
Electrode

(i)

Electrode reaction

E /V

Mn2+(aq) + 2e

Mn(s)

1.18

Fe2+(aq) + 2e

Fe(s)

0.44

Ni2+(aq) + 2e

Ni(s)

0.25

Sn2+(aq) + 2e

Sn(s)

0.14

2H+(g)+ 2e

H2(g)

Give the name of electrode E and indicate its role in the determination of
standard electrode potentials.

...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
(2)

(ii)

What is the value of the standard electrode potential for electrode E?

...........................................................................................................................
(1)

(6) The electrode potential for the half-equation

Co2+(aq) + 2e Co(s)
is measured by reference to a standard hydrogen electrode.
(i)
State the temperature at which the standard electrode potential E is measured,
and give the concentration of Co2+(aq) that must be used.
Temperature .....................................................................................................
Concentration ..................................................................................................
(ii)
Electrode potentials are usually measured by reference to a secondary standard
electrode. Identify a secondary standard electrode and give a reason why it is used
rather than a standard hydrogen electrode.
Secondary standard electrode ..........................................................................
Reason ..............................................................................................................
(4)

(7) Give the components of the standard reference electrode used in determining
standard electrode potentials. State the conditions under which this standard reference
electrode has a potential of 0.00 V.
Components.................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
Conditions...................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
(6)

(8) Name the standard reference electrode against which electrode potentials are
measured and, for this electrode, state the conditions to which the term
standard refers.
Name ..........................................................................................................................
Conditions ..................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................................
(4)

Exam Questions:
(9) Use the standard electrode potential data given below to predict the direction of
spontaneous reaction in
(i)
iron

an equimolar solution of iron(II) and iron(III) ions in the presence of metallic

(ii)
gold.

an equimolar solution of gold(I) and gold(III) ions in the presence of metallic

Write equations and calculate e.m.f. values to explain your answers.

(8)

E /V

Fe3+ (aq) + 3e
Fe2+ (aq) + 2e
Au3+ (aq) + 3e
Au+ (aq) + e

Fe(s)
Fe(s)
Au(s)
Au(s)

0.04
0.44
+1.40
+1.69

(10) The table below shows some values for standard electrode potentials.
Electrode

(a)

Electrode reaction

E /V

Mn2+(aq) + 2e

Mn(s)

1.18

Fe2+(aq) + 2e

Fe(s)

0.44

Ni2+(aq) + 2e

Ni(s)

0.25

Sn2+(aq) + 2e

Sn(s)

0.14

2H+(g)+ 2e

H2(g)

The electrochemical cell set up between electrodes C and D can be represented

by the cell diagram:
N i(s ) N i2+ (a q ) S n 2+ (a q ) S n (s )

(i)

Calculate the e.m.f. of this cell.

...........................................................................................................................
(1)

(ii)

State which would be the positive electrode.

...........................................................................................................................
(1)

(iii)

Write an equation to show the overall reaction in the cell.

...........................................................................................................................
(1)

(b)

Use the standard electrode potential data given in the table above:

(i)
to explain whether or not you would expect a reaction to occur if a piece of tin
were to be added to a test tube containing aqueous iron(II) sulphate;
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................... (2)
(ii)
to predict and explain two observations you would expect to make if a small
piece of manganese were to be added to a test tube containing hydrochloric acid of
concentration 1 mol dm3.
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................... (4)

(11) Use the table of standard electrode potentials given below to answer the following
questions.
E /V

(a)

Cl2(g) + 2e 2Cl(aq)
Br2(l) + 2e 2Br(aq)

+ 1.36
+1.07

NO 3 (aq) + 3H+(aq) + 2e HNO2(aq) + H2O(1)

Fe3+(aq) + e Fe2+(aq)
I2(aq) + 2e 2I(aq)
VO2+(aq) + 2H+(aq) + e V3+(aq) + H2O(1)
V3+(aq) + e V2+(aq)
Fe2+(aq) + 2e Fe(s)

+0.94
+0.77
+0.54
+0.34
0.26
0.44

In terms of electron transfer, define the term oxidising agent.

....................................................................................................................................
(1)

(b)

(i)

Give the conditions under which the electrode potential for Cl 2(g)/2Cl(aq) is
+1.36 V.

..........................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................................
(ii)

Give a change in one of these conditions which would result in the electrode
potential becoming more positive. Explain your answer.

Change in conditions .......................................................................................

Explanation ......................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................
(5)

(c)

(i)

Which of the reducing agents in the table is the weakest?

..........................................................................................................................
(ii)
Identify all the species in the table which could convert Iaq) into I2(aq) but
which could not convert Br(aq) into Br2(l).
..........................................................................................................................
(iii)
Identify the metal ions which would be left in solution if an excess of powdered
iron metal was added to an acidified solution containing VO2+(aq) ions.
..........................................................................................................................
(5)
(Total 11 marks)

(12)

Cobalt in oxidation states +2 and +3 forms complex ions with water, ammonia
and cyanide ligands. Use, where appropriate, the data given below to answer the
questions which follow.

[Co(H2O)6]2+(aq)

E = +1.81 V

H2O(l)

E = +1.23 V

[Co(NH3)6]3+(aq) + e

[Co(NH3)6]2+(aq)

E = +0.10 V

2H+(aq) + 2e

H2(g)

E = 0.00 V

[Co(CN)6]3(aq) + e

[Co(CN)6]4(aq)

E = 0.80 V

[Co(H2O)6]3+(aq) + e
1
2

(i)

O2(g) + 2H+(aq) + 2e

Which of the six cobalt species shown above is the most powerful oxidising
agent?

....................................................................................................................
(ii)

Identify a cobalt(II) species which cannot be oxidised by gaseous oxygen.

....................................................................................................................
(iii)
Hydrogen is evolved when a salt containing the cobalt species [Co(CN) 6]4(aq)
is reacted with a dilute acid. Use the electrode potentials given above to explain the
formation of the hydrogen gas.
....................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................
....................................................................................................................
(4)

(13) Use the data below to answer the questions that follow

Reaction at 298 K
Ag+(aq) + e
AgF(s) + e

E /V
Ag(s)+

+0.08

Ag(s) + F(aq)

+0.78

AgCl(s) + e

Ag(s) + Cl(aq)

+0.22

AgBr(s) + e

Ag(s) + Br(aq)

+0.07

H+(aq) + e

H2(g)

0.00

D+ (aq) + e

D2(g)

0.004

AgI(s) + e

Ag(s) + I(aq)

0.15

The symbol D denotes deuterium, which is heavy hydrogen, 12 H.

(a)

By considering electron transfer, state what is meant by the term oxidising agent.

..................................................................................................................................... (1)
(b)
State which of the two ions, H+(aq) or D+(aq), is the more powerful oxidising
agent. Write an equation for the spontaneous reaction which occurs when a mixture of
aqueous
H+ ions and D+ ions are in contact with a mixture of hydrogen and deuterium gas.
Deduce the e.m.f. of the cell in which this reaction would occur spontaneously.
Stronger oxidising agent..........................................................................................
Equation...................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
e.m.f..........................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
(3)

(c)

Write an equation for the spontaneous reaction which occurs when aqueous F
ions and Cl ions are in contact with a mixture of solid AgF and solid AgCl.
Deduce the e.m.f. of the cell in which this reaction would occur spontaneously.

Equation....................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
e.m.f..........................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
(2)

(d)
(i)

Silver does not usually react with dilute solutions of strong acids to liberate
hydrogen.
State why this is so.

........................................................................................................................
(ii)
Suggest a hydrogen halide which might react with silver to liberate hydrogen in
aqueous solution. Write an equation for the reaction and deduce the e.m.f. of the cell in
which this reaction would occur spontaneously.
Hydrogen halide...........................................................................................
Equation..........................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
e.m.f................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
(4)
(Total 10 marks)

(14) Use the data given below, where appropriate, to answer the questions which
follow.
Standard electrode potentials in acid solution

E /V

Mg2+ (aq) + 2e Mg(s)

2.37

Zn2+ (aq) + 2e Zn(s)

0.76

Sn4+(aq) + 2e Sn2+(aq)

+0.15

VO2+(aq) + 2H+(aq) + e V3+(aq) + H2O(l)

+0.34

VO +2 (aq) + 2H+(aq) + e VO2+(aq) + H2O(l)

+1.02

Ce4+(aq) + e Ce3+(aq)
(a)

+1.70

A diagram of a cell is shown below.

Z in c

M a g n e s iu m

S a lt b rid g e

1 .0 M Z n

(i)

2+

(a q )

Calculate the overall standard potential of this cell.

...........................................................................................................................

1 .0 M M g

2+

(aq )

ii)

State the polarity of the zinc electrode.

...........................................................................................................................
(2,)

(b)

A diagram of a cell is shown below.

I n e r t e le c tr o d e

V
S a lt b r id g e

S o lu tio n 1 .0 M w ith
re s p e c t to V O 2+ (a q ),
V 3+(a q ) a n d H + (a q )

(i)

I n e r t e le c tr o d e

S o lu tio n 1 .0 M w ith
re s p e c t to C e 4+ (a q ),
C e 3+ (a q ) a n d H +(a q )

Calculate the overall standard potential of the cell.

...........................................................................................................................
(ii)
Deduce the direction of electron flow in the external circuit when the inert
electrodes are connected together.
...........................................................................................................................
(2)

(c)
Using data from the table on page 6, derive an equation for the overall redox
process which occurs when a solution containing Ce4+,(aq) is added to a solution
containing
V3+ (aq).
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
(3)

(d)
Which, if any, of the four vanadium-containing species, V 2+ (aq), V3+ (aq),
2+
VO (aq) and VO2+ (aq), will convert Sn2+(aq) into Sn4+ (aq) in acid solution?
.....................................................................................................................................
(2)

(15) The standard electrode potentials for two electrode reactions are given below.
S2O 82 (aq) + 2e 2SO 24 (aq)
Ag+(aq)

+ e Ag(s)

E = + 2.01 V
E = + 0.80 V

(i)
A cell is produced when these two half-cells are connected.
Deduce the cell potential, E , for this cell and write an equation for the spontaneous
reaction.

E value...........................................................................................................
Equation ............................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................
(ii)

State how, if at all, the electrode potential of the S2O 82 /SO 24 equilibrium

would change if the concentration of SO 24 ions was increased.

Explain your answer.
Change, if any, in electrode potential ...............................................................
Explanation .......................................................................................................
............................................................................................................................
(6)

(16) The table below shows some values for standard electrode potentials. These data
should be used, where appropriate, to answer the questions that follow
concerning the chemistry of copper and iron.
Electrode reaction
Fe2+(aq) + 2e

Fe(s)

0.44

2H+(aq) + 2e

H2(g)

0.00

Cu2+(aq) + 2e

Cu(s)

+ 0.34

O2(g) + 2H2O(l) + 4e
NO 3 (aq) + 4H+(aq) +3e
(a)

E /V

4OH(aq)
NO(g) + 2H2O(l)

+ 0.40
+ 0.96

Write an equation to show the reaction that occurs when iron is added to a
solution of a copper(II) salt.

.....................................................................................................................................
(1)

(b)
(i)

A similar overall reaction to that shown in (a) would occur if an electrochemical

cell was set up between copper and iron electrodes.
Write down the cell diagram to represent the overall reaction in the cell.

...........................................................................................................................
(2)

(ii)

Calculate the e.m.f. of the cell.

(1)

(c)
(i) Use the standard electrode potential data given to explain why copper
reacts with dilute nitric acid but has no reaction with dilute hydrochloric acid.

...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................... (3)
(ii)

Write an equation for the reaction between copper and dilute nitric acid.

........................................................................................................................... (2)
(d)

Although iron is a widely used metal, it has a major disadvantage in that it

readily corrodes in the presence of oxygen and water. The corrosion is an
electrochemical process which occurs on the surface of the iron.

(i)
Use the standard electrode potential data given to write an equation for the
overall reaction that occurs in the electrochemical cell set up between iron, oxygen and
water.
........................................................................................................................... (1)
(ii)

State, with a reason, whether the iron acts as the anode or cathode of the cell.

...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
(2)

(iii)

Predict and explain whether or not you would expect a similar corrosion reaction
to occur with copper in the presence of oxygen and water.

...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 14 marks)